12v drill selection - help choosing between CXS/C12/T12

Lucky Dave

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Oct 3, 2007
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Seriously considering Festool 12v drill.  Which one?

Has anyone compared CXS vs C12 vs T12 ?

 
I have both the C12 (older version) and the T12 (older style).  They are both awesome drills.  I think this will depend on the type of work you do??  Also, will this be your only cordless drill or will it be supplementing, or complementing another drill?  The newer drills are actually 10.8 volts.  The CXS, although very small and lite, has some limitations in the chuck capacity (3/8), and will not accept the eccentric chuck.  If you will only own 1 drill I would recommend the C/T style drill.  Happy drilling!
 
Dave,

I'll leave the opinions to the forum members. Just wanted to mention that you can buy with confidence knowing that you can exercise the 30-day return guarantee if you get one and decide you'd prefer the other, or neither. The C-series and T-series are identical in every way with the exception of the handle format (obviously) and on the 12v versions the T12 has a 3.0Ah battery and the C12 has a 1.5Ah battery. So, with the C12 you get lighter weight but sacrifice battery run time.

Shane
 
I have a T15, great drill.
Played with the CXS before I gave it to the guy I bought it for, very nice.
Have a C12, great drill.
As mentioned, depends on what you do. Overall though, if I could only be one it would be the C12.
 
Dave:

There are several differences in the CXS and the C 12 or T 12. Among them:
  • C 12 & T 12 have brushless, EC-TEC motors, while the CXS does not
  • C 12 & T 12 have electronic clutches and shifting from screw to drive modes, while the CXS does not
  • C 12 & T 12 have 1/2" (nominally) keyless chucks, the CXS has 5/16" (nominally) keyless chuck
  • C 12 & T 12 can be equipped w/ eccentric and depth-stop chucks, the CXS can't
  • C 12 & T 12 now have battery charge gauges, the CXS does not

The CXS is a great little drill and I find I pick it up first unless I need something bigger. The bigger drills are different.

Tom
 
Relatively new to Festool but my 2 cents worth - if you're also going to get a larger drill at some point, the CXS makes a lot of sense. As an only drill, not so much. The torque is a bit too low IMHO for an everything drill. But the other issue is the limits of the 5/16" chuck. You'd have to but the larger chuck if you need it which is another $50+.

I would seriously look at the C15 or T15 - the price point is only slightly more than the 12's where the price jumps a lot form the CXS to the 12's and the weight and size is not much different either, just more power.

IMHO, you can't go wrong with a Festool drill, they're in a nother league compared to most of the other products out there

Chris
 
I have the CXS and it is my "go to" drill. This is the drill I pick up first, light, powerful and easy to use.  Now it can't do everything, it does eventually hit a wall.  When that happens I go to the T-18.  I have a friend who has the T-15 (and I have borrowed it a lot before I got mine) and it is a great drill, but honestly it can't compete with the T-18.  The T-18 weighs ounces more and is significantly more powerful.  Between the CXS and the T-18 all bases are covered - well.
 
It's truly an application question.

Get the CXS, see if it does the job ... if not, go C12 or T12 depending on you need for more power ... or more power and more battery life.

If money isn't an issue and the CXS is comfortable for 60% or more of what you do ... keep it and grab a T18 next (it's a battleship in power and battery life, but it's not that much in weight over a T12).

This was my approach for what it's worth  ;D
 
Just a point to note and that is that all 3 drills are 10.8v and not 12v. I have the cxs, c15 & ti15 this i find works well. The cxs gets used the most but isn't good for drilling any large holes or for drilling steel, but is great for most screws. The c15 will do every thing you throw at is. This is a great drill but gets heavy if used above your head for long ( ceilings etc)  the ti15 is aw some but noisy for screws, gets used for bolts and as a dill veryfast rpm so makes a brilliant drill.
 
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